Cataract FAQs

Cataracts usually develop slowly and painlessly, and many people don't realize they have them until their vision has become noticeably blurred. Other common symptoms of cataracts include:

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Double vision in one eye

• Fading or yellowing of colors

• Glare or halos around lights

• Frequent changes in eyeglasses or contact lens prescription

Most cataracts are age-related. As we age, the proteins in our eye lenses start to break down and clump together, causing the lenses to become cloudy. Other causes of cataracts include smoking, diabetes, certain eye injuries or diseases, and prolonged sun exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Surgery is the only way to remove cataracts. Our eye surgeon will perform phacoemulsification, which uses sound waves to break up the cloudy lens so it can be suctioned out of the eye. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) will then be inserted in its place.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will check your eyes for cataracts and other eyeproblems. They will look at your eye lenses through a magnifyinglens to evaluate their clarity. A visionexam can also help rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

If left untreated, cataracts will eventually cause vision loss. Vision exams can help catch cataracts earlybefore they cause significant damage. If you think you might have cataracts, schedule an eye exam withan optometrist or ophthalmologist. Early diagnosis and treatment can help preserve your vision

There is no sure way to prevent cataracts, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk, such as:

• Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays

• Eating a healthy diet

• Exercising regularly

• Not smoking

• Limiting alcohol consumption